I have a book of Dr.Zakir Naik whom I respect and admire a lot because he is a true Islamic Scholar and a very Learned Person. His book “Replies to the Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims” covers many important topics related to the conflict that we feel in our mind whenever a non-muslim ask us a question. One of them has been discussed here.

Question: Science tell us that whatever one eats, it has an effect on one’s behaviour. Why then, does Islam allow Muslims to eat non-vegetarian food, since eating of animals could make a person violent and ferocious?

Answer:

1. Only eating of herbivorous animals allowed I agree that, what a person eats has an effect on his behaviour. This is one of the reasons why Islam prohibits the eating of carnivorous animals like lion, tiger, leopard, etc. who are violent and ferocious. The consumption of the meat of such animals would probably make a person violent and ferocious. Islam only allows the eating of herbivorous animals like cow, goat, sheep, etc. that are peaceful and docile. Muslims eat peaceful and docile animals because Muslims are peace loving and non-violent people.

2. The Qur’an says Prophet prohibits what is bad, The Qur’an says: “The Prophet commands them what is just and prohibits what is evil”. “He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them what is bad (and impure),”

[Al-Qur’an 7: 157]

For a Muslim, the Prophet’s statement is sufficient to convince him that Allah does not wish humans to eat some kinds of meat while allowing some other kinds.

3. Hadith of Mohammad (pbuh) prohibi-ting eating of carnivorous animals

According to various authentic Ahadith narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim including hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sahih Muslim, Book of hunting and slaughter, Hadith No. 4752 and Sunan Ibn-I-Majah chapter 13 Hadith no. 3232 to 3234, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) prohibited the eating of: (i) Wild animals with canine teeth, i.e. meat eating carnivorous animals. These are animals belonging to the cat families such as lion, tiger, cats, dogs, wolfs, hyenas, etc.

(ii) Certain rodents like mice, rats, rabbits with claws, etc.

(iii) Certain reptiles like snakes, alligators, etc.

(iv) Birds of prey with talons or claws, like vultures, eagle, crows, owl, etc.

There is no scientific evidence that proves beyond doubt that eating non-vegetarian food makes one violent.